I've been thinking, lately - a dangerous habit, I know - about how my husband Garth (not his real name) and I have started to downsize our family celebrations.

Not that they were HUGE, to begin with - if you have kids, then you know - but, our children enjoy spending time with both sets of their grandparents and have looked forward to their birthday dinners out, wherever they choose.

Christmastime, however, is a bear.

Besides the typical preparations that go along with celebrating a holiday supposedly meant as a time for family and friends - after finding out who is going to be around and wherever that will be, at the time - it always turns out to be a balancing act.

As you know, I am NOT very graceful.

This year, the grandparents are dealing with some pretty serious health and family issues.

Which ones?

Both; my parents and in-laws are going through some serious suckage at the moment and, not only does it totally SUCK that my brother's unit is being deployed, AGAIN, it's causing severe damage on my Christmas Mojo.

I'm just not feeling it, ya'll.

Which, of course, means that I have been desperately trying to NOT have my children pick up on the fact that I, obviously, put the desperate into housewife...since, like, 1993.

"Are you coming on Sunday?"

Shhhh.

[balancing act in progress]

"No, actually, I'm taking the kids out and hoping to let your daughter try to, you know, catch up with herself."

I love Garth (not his real name) - bless his squishy heart -  but, it's times like this when I wonder.

"How long do you need?"

Will it ever be enough and, you know, WHEN?

"About three weeks should do it, thanks!"

Actually, all I need is to wrap, cook, bake and...um...shop...no, that's not it...I finished yesterday with my SIL...uh...there's something I'm forgetting, I know...give me a minute and perhaps it'll come to me.

"Can we go to the Christmas House?"

I was trying to download some music into my SIL's new Mp3 player and somehow was trying to pretend that I didn't know, that she knows, I'm NOT technical, like that - bless her squishy heart -  and, YES, we were having problems that were terribly technical-like.

"Tonight; are you kidding me?"

I was so NOT in the mood to go anywhere else.

"But, you promised we would take Aunt Waynicerthanmommy!"

[Wayne, for short]

"I dunno, go ask Daddy."

I mean, it can be tiring, being such a bad guy...mommy...whatever...and all!

"Sure, as soon as Mommy's ready."

Bless his squishy heart.

"Besides, it's not too far, Sis, and it'll be worth the ride, you'll see."

As you can see, the Griswold's have NOTHING on this place.

According to this article, there are 8.4 miles of lights on the property and 79 Christmas trees outside the house; 16 Christmas trees adorn the inside of the house and that the electricity bill is about $3,500 for the seven weeks the lights are on.

"How did you guys ever find this place?"

Driving home from my parents house, I think, go figure.

"WICKED!"

Some may perhaps argue, that the use of so many brightly colored lights - not to mention, the energy used to fire them up - and the owner's efforts at spreading holiday cheer isn't very, you know, green.

"Can I have some money?!?!"

I kept staring up at all the pretty lights and tried not to add to my growing impatience with Mini-me, this past week.

"There is absolutely NOTHING you need to buy here, Sweetie."

She pointed at the box at the end of the walk - which asks for donations for St. Jude Children's Hospital and the Children's Diabetes Fund - and this message:

"It's not a Christmas well - it's a magical Christmas box. Drop in some love and hope. Lets make the children well."

My eyes fogged up.

"No, I want to drop it in there!"

No, it's not easy being happy - especially, when the world is surrounded in such misery - but, I didn't have to dig very deep to find my Christmas mojo and all it took was simple drop in the well.

I mean, box.

Thank you, Mr. Steinke - the owner of the Christmas House - for interrupting your Christmas party, to come out and greet us, and wish total strangers well.

"We're looking forward to playing Harmonies For Christmas!"

Not just for the cool CD - everyone got one for an $8.00 donation into the box - you've given me (and my family) more than you'll ever know.

"I do it for my kids, your kids and making some people a little happier is what Christmas is all about; don't ya' think?"

You know, I guess, maybe you do.

Merry Christmas to all - especially, YOU my blogging friends - and to all a good night.

[shrugs shoulders]

Oh, just look at ALL the pretty lights!

[YAWN]

If anyone needs me, I'll be upstairs counting my blessings - 4 of whom are probably STILL awake - praying for peace and hugging Garth (not his real name) bless his squishy heart!

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